Lunarlon is usually encapsuled

Lunarlon is usually encapsuled in a container of harder Phylon foam in order to give structure and support to the foot where needed.

IN SHORT: Look for Cheap Nike Air Veer if you want a soft, plush, cushioned run. Here’s a look at the 2013 Lunar models.

Nike Free is a concept. Started around 2005, the idea is to create a shoe that is so flexible that leaves the foot completely free to move in the most natural way.

Some people object that the Frees are still very cushioned shoes, therefore preventing the runner to have a true feeling for the ground below them.

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While this might be true, the extreme flexibility of the Free sole unit, combined with very open-mesh and unconstrained upper make for a treat.

What do the numbers next to a Free shoe mean?.
Nike Frees come in different versions, depending on how flexible they are. Their flexibility is ranked on a scale that goes from 1.0 to 10.0, where 1.0 means “bare feet” and 10 is a traditional running shoe.

In reality, Nike Frees come in 3 versions: 3.0, 5.0 and 7.0 -> where the 5.0 is the middle ground, the 3.0 the most flexible and the 7.0 most similar to a normal running shoe.

First of all

First of all, let’s talk about Nike’s new upper construction which is called Flyknit. Flyknit is a special woven fabric that makes the upper of a shoe feel like a sock, by placing yarns and knits strategically around the structure in order to support the foot of the runner when needed and leave it free everywhere else.

Flyknit running shoes are lightweight, flexible and breathable. The technology is new and exclusive to Nike, so expect to pay a premium for Flyknit shoes.

Most notable examples of Nike Flyknit Air Max Shop are the Flyknit Racer (as the name implies, a fast and light shoe for racing distances all the way to the marathon) and the Flyknit Lunar1+ (a great everyday training shoe with lots of cushioning and comfortable upper).

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Soles of running shoes are made of foam. Each company has their own trademark foam mix that tries to achieve the following: be as light weight as possible, be soft in order to absorb the impact with the ground, be elastic (in order to compress on impact and release propelling you forward), be durable (foam does deteriorate with use, so all foam materials need to be engineered to maintain its characteristics for a decent amount of time).

Nike’s traditional foam material is called CUSHLON, and it is the foam material you find on their “Air” running shoe models.

In 2009, Nike introduced Lunarfoam, later renamed Lunarlon. Lunarlon is Nike’s softest, most cushioned and lightest foam compound.

One of the most important parts

One of the most important parts of wearing compression gear is to ensure that it fits properly. Take the following steps below to ensure proper fit:

Measure up: All the brands typically are sized based on circumference of certain body regions. If you are looking to get calf sleeves or socks, measure the circumference of the calves at the widest part. For pants- measure your waist, calves, and take your weight. For shirts, measure the widest part of the ribcage.

Fitting the gear: Always try on compression before buying it. You don’t want compression to bunch in any place or be overly constricting. The compression should fit snug, but never pinch or cut off circulation.

Getting in the gear: Always lay the gear flat and work your body into it. Don’t bunch (especially the socks) when putting the Nike Flyknit Free Uk on. It won’t lay well on your body.

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Erin’s Take

When compression was brought to my attention a few years ago, I knew the benefits of use in medical field, but needed to try it for myself. For performance purposes, I didn’t notice any differences in my times; I think there are more important tools to improve performance than relying on compression to magically drop time. But for recovery, compression is my favorite. After long or hard workouts, I used to take an ice bath to reduce soreness and help recover faster. Now, I wear my full tights for a few hours after a tough workout or race and the next day my legs feel brand new. No more freezing water required! If you do destination runs and end up on a plane soon after, pack your compression to help reduce the pooling in your lower legs. My own overall subjective observations support the research showing that compression aids recovery, but not as much performance.

It seems there needs to be more research on the topic with clearly defined parameters for both performance and recovery. I highly believe in doing what feels best and if you notice differences using compression while running or after running, then by all means use them!